O'Hare Airport hit for safety violations in FAA report

Federal inspectors found numerous violations at O'Hare International Airport that endanger airplanes at the most critical phases of flight -- takeoffs and landings, officials said Wednesday.

The safety breaches, uncovered by the Federal Aviation Administration during routine inspections last month at O'Hare, range from debris on runways to excessive amounts of tall grass and weeds that create hazards for planes by attracting birds and other wildlife.

A warning notice from the FAA to Chicago said the inspections show that O'Hare is seriously out of compliance with federal aviation law. The notice, called a "letter of correction," also chastised the Chicago Department of Aviation for what the federal agency called a pattern of false statements in its self-inspection program.